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Banner Year for Giving, Service

Posted on Monday, June 09, 2014

It was a banner year for giving among alums celebrating their 50th Reunion over the weekend, with the Classes of 1964 setting the new single-year participation record for Annual Fund gifts. With 76 percent making contributions, members of the Classes of 1964 raised nearly $95,000 this year alone and more than $9.2 million since their 45th Reunion.

The announcement was made by the Hobart Alumni Association and the William Smith Alumnae Association during the President's Reunion Forum on the Quad, which not only highlighted annual giving totals for each of the Reunion classes, but also recognized individuals and entire classes for their time, talent and treasure given to the Colleges.

"The Forum provides us with the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary level of service that so many of our alumni and alumnae have given to Hobart and William Smith," said Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jared Weeden '91 during the ceremony. "The Forum gives us the opportunity to celebrate and officially recognize the gifts your Classes have made in honor of their Reunion."

In addition to praising their record-breaking support at the Forum, the Classes of 1964 were presented two prestigious honors: the Distinguished Service Award and the Elizabeth Herendeen Odell Award. Traditionally bestowed to individuals for exemplary service, Reunion 2014 marked the first time in the Colleges' history that the Alumni Association and Alumnae Association gave both awards to one set of Classes.

With the Classes of 1964 leading the way in participation, other Reunion Classes representing the 4's and 9's also had a stellar year for contributions to the Annual Fund.

The Classes of 1969 raised $34,385 this year and $334,516 since their 40th Reunion; the Classes of 1974 contributed $93,142 to the Annual Fund and raised $1,029,990 since their 35th Reunion; the Classes of 1979 gave $34,954 this year and have raised $385,811 since their 30th Reunion; the Classes of 1984 put $84,562 toward this year's Annual Fund, raising a total of $5,008,407 since their last reunion; the Classes of 1989 raised $30,354 this year and have made gifts totaling $394,344 since their 20th Reunion; the Classes of 1994 gave $36,142 this year and have contributed $658,853 since their 15th Reunion; the Classes of 1999 raised $10,099 this year, with a total of $60,897 put toward the Annual Fund since their 10th Reunion; the Classes of 2004 raised $5,378 this year and contributed $41,507 since their last reunion; and the Classes of 2009 raised $4,584 this year and contributed $36,613 to the Annual Fund in the past five years.

Joining the Reunion Classes as the newest alumni and alumnae at the Forum were members of the Classes of 2014. All together, the newly minted graduates raised $10,486 for the Annual Fund. But with the help of Andy McMaster Jr. '74, P'09; Gary Mathieson '74; Chris Welles '84, P'12; and Tim Eden '79, the contributions of the Classes of 2014 were matched, bringing the total to $22,341.

"Thank you all for joining us at this wonderful celebration," said Margaret McConnell '14 alongside Wes Traub '14, as they represented the Classes. "I am happy to be here today to present our first-ever Reunion gift to the Colleges. I look forward to seeing everyone back here in five years."

Following the classes' Annual Fund gift announcements, Weeden and Assistant Vice President for Advancement, Alumnae Relations and National Regional Network Kathy Killius Regan '82, P'13 presented the alumni and alumnae citations for service, support and commitment to the Colleges.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Founder's Cup to the Hobart class and the William Smith class with the highest percentage of alums attending. This year, the Hobart Class of 1964 won, setting a record with 43 percent who returned to campus. The William Smith Class of 2009 had the most alumnae return this year, with 36 percent in attendance.

The forum on the Quad concluded with remarks by President Mark D. Gearan and the singing of the alma maters by students Jake Deitrich '14, Brenna Earle '15, Kelly Scharr '15, Ben Scheibel '14 and Nicholas Stewart '15.

"Let me join Jared and Kathy in congratulating the dedication and commitment of the volunteers we have honored today," Gearan said. "Each one of you makes a difference in the life of the Colleges and in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. I thank you."